58th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring

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58th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring

Post by mlittle » Mon Mar 08, 2010 4:48 pm

Since 1952, the stars of the sports car community have traveled to central Florida and Sebring International Raceway for one of the great endurance events on the motorsports calendar, the 12 Hours of Sebring. Winners have included Mario Andretti, Briggs Cunningham, Juan Manuel Fangio, A.J. Foyt, Jacky Ickx, Stirling Moss and Lake Underwood, while several famous marques from Ferrari, Porsche, BMW, Jaguar, Cunningham, Audi to big American marques Ford and Chevrolet have found victory on the long and bumpy Sebring circuit.



-----EVENT SCHEDULE, 58TH MOBIL 1 TWELVE HOURS OF SEBRING

~~18 March 2010
10:30-11:30am, Practice Session 1[LMP, LMPC, GT & GTC]
2:30-3:30pm, Practice Session 2[LMP, LMPC, GT & GTC]
7:15-9pm, Night Practice Session[LMP, LMPC, GT & GTC]
~~19 March 2010
10:50-11:50am, Practice Session 3[LMP, LMPC, GT & GTC]
2:55-3:20pm, Qualifying Session[GT AND GTC classes]
3:30-3:55pm, Qualifying Session[LMP AND LMPC classes]
~~20 March 2010
10am, 58th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring[12 hours timed distance]

LMP--LeMans Prototype Class
LMPC--LeMans Prototype Challenge Class
GT--Grand Touring Class
GTC--Grand Touring Challenge Class
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Post by mlittle » Wed Mar 17, 2010 11:08 am

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------Intersport Withdraws Lola P1 Entry
==It came as no huge surprise to see Intersport Racing withdraw its entry for Saturday’s season-opener following Jon Field’s horrific testing crash on Monday. The team’s Lola B06/10 AER was destroyed in the single-car accident, which sent the veteran Ohio driver to the local hospital for observation. He was later released with no serious injuries.

The team has now determined the high-speed crash was caused by right-rear suspension failure, and wing failure as originally reported.

“First and foremost, we are relieved that Jon was able to walk away from the wreck without injury,” team manager Brian Alder said. “It is a tribute to IMSA safety regulations and the construction of the Lola to see our driver walk away from such a horrific crash.”

“With Jon on the mend, we will channel our focus for the Twelve Hours to the team’s LMPC car. We will also be busy with our Cooper Tires Prototype Lites entries. We’re very confident and enthusiastic about the team’s competitiveness in those programs.”

Intersport had a spare chassis available but it was back at their Dublin, Ohio shop. While there’s conceivably enough time to retrieve and prepare it in time for the race, it would have likely come at a sacrifice to its customer LMPC and Prototype Lites programs.

With neither Jon or son Clint Field starting Saturday’s race, it will mark the end of an era for the Series’ most successful privateer team. Jon had started every Sebring race since 1997. However, Intersport will still have its LMPC car for Mitch Pagerey, Brian Wong and David Ducote. The team intends to return to full capacity at next month’s Grand Prix of Long Beach.

------F430 ‘Evoluzione’
==After a hard-fought 2009 season which brought wins in three of the world's endurance racing classics(Sebring, LeMans 24 & Petit LeMans), Risi Competizione returns to the highly competitive GT2 category this year with its familiar Ferrari F430. While the Prancing Horse may appear relatively unchanged at first glance, it has received a significant makeover under the hood for 2010, enough so to now be called a F430 GTE.

Essentially four aspects of the car - weight, air restrictor, tires and aerodynamics - have evolved from last year’s model. The GTE now weighs in at 1245 kg, a 100 kg (or 220-pound) increase. In doing so, the car is now allowed to run a larger air restrictor, translating roughly to a 9 percent power increase. Larger tires, 3 cm wider in both the front and rear, subsequently required revised bodywork to accommodate the wider tires.

These wholesale changes bring the F430 in line with its competition. Not only does the Ferrari now fall into the same weight class as the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, BMW M3 and Corvette C6.R, all four cars share the same sized tires, too.

“If you look at the percentages, it works out in our favor because you get bigger tires, bigger restrictor, more weight but the percentage gained in the weight is really less than the two factors combined,” said Risi Competizione Technical Director Rick Mayer. “So it’s definitely a better direction. But it took Ferrari quite a while to get there.”

After a season that saw the lighter, but less powerful F430 get blown away on the long straights of circuits such as Le Mans and Road America, Mayer knew measures had to be taken to improve the car’s top speed. Risi had been in fact lobbying for this evolution for quite some time, but Ferrari’s performance model indicated the lighter car would still be quicker.

Ferrari’s model indeed turned out to be flawed, as the first Michelotto-built F430 Evo won in its FIA GT debut last October at Paul Ricard and proved the added straight-line speed and increased tire contact patch compensated for the extra weight. Back Stateside, Risi meanwhile evaluated many of the 2010 developments, including the new aerodynamic package, on its own car and came to the same conclusion.

Now equipped on all 2010-spec Ferraris, including the two new Extreme Speed Motorsports examples, the GTE could turn out to be the most significant development in the car’s five-year history.

“It will be interesting to see how it works,” Mayer said. “I’d expect we could get 5-6 kph more on a long track. Our biggest issue last year was lack of power and the fact that we couldn’t pass anybody. I don’t know that we’ll be ahead of anybody in terms of speed, but we certainly won’t be getting walked on. We picked up some mid-corner grip with the bigger tires and some top-speed with the restrictor. So there really hasn’t been a downside to this change.”

While Risi has only had four days of testing with the new package, its pilots Jamie Melo and Gimmi Bruni, both factory development drivers, have racked up many more days of testing in Europe. For Melo, the changes were evident from the moment he stepped into the car for the first time.

“The car is pretty much the same as in 2009 with just more power and overall grip, which comes from the wider tires,” he said. “It’s a car we know so well so but we are finding ways to improve all the time. We have better balance now, using last year’s aerodynamic package, and maybe consistency of the tires, so there’s a bit more range to work with. Now we just need to enjoy the last year of the F430.”

This latest round of developments to the F430 will almost certainly be the car’s last, too, as the model is scheduled to be replaced by the all-new F458 Italia for next year. The newest-generation mid-engined Ferrari supercar will mark a new beginning in more ways than one.

“The 458 is basically the first new clean-sheet [design] since the 360,” Mayer said. “The 458 really doesn’t retain any of the components of the 430. The gearboxes are going to be different, all of the rims, the bodywork and all of our spares. This massive stock and database we’ve come to rely on will all change for next year. It’s going to be a huge financial undertaking.” But for now, the focus is on 2010, and recapturing the GT2 title for the iconic Italian brand.

------Joao Barbosa’s GT2 Adventure
==When Extreme Speed Motorsports announced its complete driver lineup for Sebring and Petit Le Mans, Joao Barbosa was a pleasant surprise to the Scott Sharp-owned Ferrari GT2 team. Fresh off the overall win in the Rolex 24 at Daytona in January, many people don’t remember the Portuguese driver during his early years in sportscar racing.

While he’s competed full-time in Daytona Prototypes for the last two seasons, Barbosa cut his teeth in the GT ranks, driving for a variety of manufacturers and teams. Following his stint in Atlantics, Barbosa began a long and fruitful partnership with Mosler, where he became the manufacturers’ lead driver for its MT900R program.

His relationship with the small Florida-based constructor opened up new opportunities in Europe and America, with drives for Mosler customers Perspective Racing and Rollcentre Racing. A class win at the Rolex 24 in 2003 helped push Barbosa to the next level, with a move up to prototypes with Rollcentre, but still was a frequent competitor at the wheel of Moslers, Saleens and Maseratis.

Despite his new-found glory in prototype racing, it comes as no surprise Barbosa has returned to his GT roots this weekend, piloting the No. 02 ESM Ferrari F430 GTE. And as he quickly found out after the ALMS Sebring Winter Test last month, the mid-engined Ferrari has its own unique characteristics.

“These cars take some time to get used to, even compared to the Daytona Prototype,” Barbosa said. “I initially thought the Ferrari would be closer to a DP, but it’s really tough to make comparisons. It’s a true GT car that requires a very different driving style. I’m not as used to the GT experience, so the two days of testing came in handy for me and I’m confident of getting back up to speed for the race.”

Barbosa will be making his fourth start at Sebring this weekend, his first since 2005 when piloting Rollcentre’s Dallara-Judd. With it also being Extreme Speed’s race debut, Barbosa understands the challenges of a start-up team, especially fitting into an already competitive category.

“Everybody is working very nicely together,” he said. “It’s hard to set up a brand-new team, but they have some really experienced guys here. The biggest thing is taking time to get used to the car. It’s new for most of us. But I think we’ve already learned a lot with testing and we should be in good shape for the race.”
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Post by mlittle » Thu Mar 18, 2010 2:46 pm

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------Bill Riley Joins Jaguar RSR
==One of the more interesting developments this week has been the addition of Bill Riley to the Jaguar RSR effort for 2010. Riley, who along with father Bob runs Riley Technologies, is giving a helping hand this weekend to the Paul Gentilozzi-led factory effort, which is making its Sebring debut with the Jaguar XKRS.

With decades of race car construction experience, including the dominant Riley MkXX Daytona Prototype and Corvette C6 that LG Motorsports campaigned in select American Le Mans Series races in 2008-2009, adding Riley to the Gentilozzi’s organization came as a natural fit.

“Our relationship with Bill and Bob Riley goes back to the late ‘80s,” Gentilozzi explained. “The last time we won Sebring in GT was 1992 in a Bob Riley-designed car. We have a huge amount of respect for what they have accomplished. When you design a car in-house, your objectivity isn’t as open of a scope as you may like it. So I couldn’t think of anybody better in the world than to bring to the table than Bob and Bill.”

Jaguar RSR has had a steep learning curve in getting its XKRS up to speed in the highly competitive GT2 category. With numerous teething problems to tend to, the car hasn’t gained nearly as much track time as originally hoped for in pre-season tests and official testing at Sebring this week.

Riley faces a unique situation having joined the team while in the middle of the car’s development, instead of being an influence on the design from the ground-up. In fact, the deal to bring Riley on board as a consultant came together less than 10 days ago.

“It’s only been my third day, so we’re starting to overlook things and give ideas and input,” Riley said. “After this race, we’ll have a list of things to try at the next test or next event and start to develop the car from there.”

While immediate effects are unlikely to be seen here this weekend, with the No. 75 machine of Gentilozzi, Marc Goossens and Ryan Dalziel set to take the green flag on Saturday, Riley is hopeful of turning the car into a challenger for GT2 honors. He believes further developments will come in stages.

“To start, I think it will be bigger clump out first, then we’ll go smaller and smaller as we move along,” Riley said. “I think there’s a few things we can try and see if they’ll work on the car right away. It’s a little bit of both chassis and aero development, but I’m mostly looking at the chassis development right now. We can’t do a lot with the aero without going to a wind tunnel.”

Gentilozzi confirmed the car they have here this weekend is in fact a brand-new chassis and different than the one that was run at the Sebring Winter Test last month. The team is hopeful to have both Jaguars on track by Long Beach, with Goossens and Dalziel as full-season drivers. Due to his GRAND-AM commitments with Chip Ganassi Racing, Scott Pruett will only join the team for the endurance races this year, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June. And with Riley on board with the team through at least Le Mans calling race strategy as well, the team will be in good hands for their first full-season program in GT2 competition.

“I know some people think of it as an odd mix, but Bob and Bill and their company, Riley Technologies have helped a lot of people over the years,” Gentilozzi said. “It’s just a natural fit for us. Having looked at the car before making his final decision to get involved, it has to already be a quality car. He’s been very complimentary about the construction.”


------GTC Pros?
==Ask Butch Leitzinger and Luis Diaz one year ago if they had expected to end up with rides in GT Challenge for 2010 and both would have likely said no. But the tough economic times have had a large impact on the shape of the LMP grid this year.

Despite winning the LMP2 championship with team co-owner/driver Adrian Fernandez, Diaz was left without a ride following the closure of Fernandez Racing. Leitzinger, another prototype veteran, was put in the same situation following Dyson Racing’s downsizing to a single Lola-Mazda for 2010. Suddenly, both Leitzinger and Diaz were ride-less in the prototype ranks and wound up in the unlikeliest of places, GT Challenge.

“We’re the pros or the novices, whichever way you want to look at it!” said Leitzinger, who along with Diaz is making their first start behind the wheel of a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car. “It’s obviously a big change going from one to the other. Both of us are happy to learn a lot. I’ve been getting tips from [co-driver] Juan [Gonzalez] because he’s driven these cars a lot. It’s a lot of fun, but the important thing is to be with a great team like Alex Job Racing.”

Indeed. Both drivers have landed full-season drives with three-time ALMS GT2 champions Alex Job Racing, which makes its Series return this year with a trio of Porsche Cup cars in the GTC class.

Two of the team’s entries have been put together by Historics veteran Juan Gonzalez, who also co-drives the No. 81 Mission Foods-sponsored machine with Leitzinger. Juan’s nephew Ricardo shares the wheel of the No. 80 Car Amigo entry with Diaz. 2009 GRAND-AM Rolex GT champion Leh Keen and Minnesotan Patrick Kelly have been drafted in as third drivers for this weekend’s season-opener.

For Diaz, with a background primarily in single-seaters and prototypes, the move to a GTC car was quite an eye-opening experience after getting his initial laps in on Monday. “It’s like like I’m learning to drive again,” Diaz said. “It’s a whole new experience for me, big time! Driving a Porsche is a big honor for me and I’m happy to be with all of the guys over here. Hopefully we can do good things like we did in prototypes.”

With Leitzinger and Diaz having years of prototype racing under their belts but are so-called ‘rookies’ to the GT ranks, both drivers have been helping each other with the adjustment to the production-based machines. When one discovers something new, whether it be a certain driving technique or a technical element of the car, they can relate to their experiences in prototypes to help ease the transition.

“We both have been kind of consoling and helping each other to figure out how to drive a GT car,” Leitzinger said. “I’ve driven a lot of different GT cars, but never a Porsche. It’s a lot different than anything else out there, because of the engine placement. I’m having to figure out exactly what it likes. We’re here for a week, so hopefully by the end of the Twelve Hours, we’ll have a good idea.”

With a full season ahead for both pairings, getting a solid, trouble-free result is the first priority this weekend. Teams have thrown away championships just by a DNF at Sebring, and for these two GTC ‘Pros’, the goal will be to finish and rack up valuable mileage and points.

“No matter what you’re driving, you have to keep the same mentality,” Leitzinger said. “You heard people say that it’s great to run a 12 hour or 24 hour ‘sprint’ race until you break. You have to make sure that you stay out of trouble and the pits.”


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Post by mlittle » Fri Mar 19, 2010 3:43 pm

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------LMP1 Equivalency and AMR's Future, Post LeMans
==It seems to be one of the talked about topics in prototype land, and this year is no different. The question of whether the ACO has properly balanced the performance differences between the gasoline and diesel-powered LMP1 cars has been an ongoing argument since Audi introduced its revolutionary R10 TDI in 2006.

There was no doubt the diesel-powered machines initially had a distinct advantage, especially at Le Mans, where it wasn’t unusual for the Audis or Peugeots to have a seven to ten-second per lap advantage over the LMP1 gasoline competition. But uproar from the leading gasoline-powered prototype manufacturers has forced the ACO to take a closer look at the equivalency between the two types of power plants. And to the French rules-makers credit, progress has been made over the last two seasons.

Following another diesel sweep of the overall podium at Le Mans last year, the ACO has made another wave of adjustments for 2010. These changes include a 2.1 smaller restrictor and 5.8 percent decrease in supercharger pressure for the diesels. Gasoline-powered P1 cars, on the other hand, have a 5 percent increase on its air restrictor, and GT1-based power plants have a 2.4 percent increase in power.

While the full results of these changes will likely not be known until Le Mans, this weekend’s Twelve Hours of Sebring could provide a good glimpse of what to expect in June. For Aston Martin Racing, which enters its second year in the P1 ranks with a GT1-based, Aston Martin V12-powered Lola, these adjustments are a step in the right direction, although not the complete solution.

“It was another good step this year,” said AMR Team Principal George Howard-Chappell. “All of our analysis and all of our math suggests that a performance differential still exists... If you just go back to the science, with the potential in a diesel engine vs. the potential in a petrol engine, the gap that existed last year has been halved. But that doesn’t mean to say it’s acceptable in terms of going racing against diesels. Our prediction this year is that we’re still going to be, from a power-only perspective, at least two seconds off the diesel cars at Le Mans.

“I’m very pleased that the ACO at least made a change. I’m unhappy that it’s not large enough, but it’s a difficult job to do because I’m sure they get information and lobbying from various manufacturers in both directions. It’s a difficult job to make the correct decision. That said, the evidence is pretty clear and it is for a lot of people. But there’s a lot of things in play that they need to make their decisions about.”



AMR, which scored two wins and the P1 championship in the European-based Le Mans Series last year, has elected not to defend its title in 2010. Instead, the factory British squad has hand-picked a number of key endurance classics this year, including Sebring and Long Beach. Only two LMS races - the season-opening 8 Hours of Le Castellet at Paul Ricard next month and most likely Silverstone 1000km - are on the team’s calendar, partly due to the arrival of Team ORECA’s Peugeot 908 HDi-FAP, which will contest the entire five-round championship.

“There’s not a great deal of incentive to go racing in the LMS championship because of what amounts to a factory diesel Peugeot,” Howard-Chappell said. “It sort of puts [LMP1] in two classes and we’re not happy coming in second.”

Le Mans remains AMR’s primary objective, but with seven factory or works-supported diesels on the grid, it tough for the team to repeat or better its fourth place overall finish last year, despite the performance adjustments.

But the team has not ruled out adding additional races to post-Le Mans, and like many, are waiting to see confirmation of the Asian Le Mans Series calendar and the third and final leg of the inaugural Intercontinental Cup before making any final decisions.


“We’ll probably be doing one or two other races,” Howard-Chappell said. “We’re not sure if that’s going to be something in the States or from the Intercontinental Cup. The main focus for this part of the year is to do the initial races prior to Le Mans. When we get a bit closer to Le Mans, we’ll take a closer look at what we’ll do later in the season.”

~~~Various News & Notes
• Team Peugeot Total burned the midnight oil last night as the No. 08 Peugeot 908 HDi-FAP’s tub was cracked following Wednesday’s testing session. The French Lions, which brought a spare chassis with them, spent the overnight hours tearing down the old car and building it up around the replacement tub.

It’s the second consecutive year that Peugeot has had to change tubs at Sebring during race week, apparently caused by the bumpy surface. Peugeot Sport director Olivier Quesnel says this latest incident is different than last year, since the there was a crack on the floor, compared to a puncture by a suspension piece in 2009. Nonetheless, the No. 08 car turned the quickest times in both the morning and afternoon practice sessions.

• The Robertson Racing Ford GT was back in action for the first official practice on Thursday, 10 hours earlier than anticipated. The 10-man crew logged 36 hours repairing the car after a crash during testing on Monday, with the goal of being ready for night practice Thursday evening. Their efforts were augmented by the expertise of aircraft-certified fabricator/welder Mark Harris, most recently part of the USF1 team. Robertson Racing passed tech inspection early Thursday and were on track for the morning session. David Robertson recorded his personal-best Sebring laps, a positive indication the car is back to speed.

• The ALMS and the ACO have scheduled a press conference for tomorrow morning with details on the Le Mans Intercontinental Cup. It's expected the third and final leg of the three-round championship for LMP1 cars will be announced. The Cup kicks off at Silverstone in September before traveling to Road Atlanta for the Petit Le Mans in October, with a third, yet-to-be-announced round in Asia.

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Post by mlittle » Fri Mar 19, 2010 3:57 pm

Sebring Practice Session 1 Class Leaders.............
LMP-1} #08 Team Peugeot Total(Peugeot 908 HDi), 1:45.840 sec
LMP-2} #1 Patron Highcroft Racing(Acura ARX-01c), 1:47.308 sec
LMPC} #95 Level 5 Mtrspts.(Oreca FLM-09 Courage), 1:56.289 sec
GT-2} #92 BMW/Rahal-Letterman Racing(BMW E92/M3), 2:01.556 sec
GTC} #1 The Racer's Group(Porsche 911 GT3), 2:07.547 sec

Sebring Practice Session 2 Class Leaders..............
LMP-1} #08 Team Peugeot Total(Peugeot 908 HDi), 1:45.731 sec
LMP-2} #6 Team Cytosport(Porsche RS Spyder), 1:49.894 sec
LMPC} #99 Green Earth/Team Gunnar(Oreca FLM-09 Courage), 1:56.118 sec
GT-2} #92 BMW/Rahal-Letterman Racing(BMW E92/M3), 2:01.256 sec
GTC} #69 Velox Mtrspts.(Porsche 911 GT3), 2:08.040 sec

Sebring Night Practice Session Class Leaders.............
LMP-1} #07 Team Peugeot Total(Peugeot 908 HDi), 1:45.494 sec
LMP-2} #1 Patron Highcroft Racing(Acura ARX-01c), 1:48.711 sec
LMPC} #36 Genoa Racing(Oreca FLM-09 Courage), 1:57.393 sec
GT-2} #90 BMW/Rahal-Letterman Racing(BMW E92/M3), 2:01.928 sec
GTC} #81 Alex Job Racing(Porsche 911 GT3), 2:08.012 sec
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Post by mlittle » Sun Mar 21, 2010 9:20 am

(from FR, 19 March 2010)

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------Peugeot on LMP1 Equivalency & 2011 Car
==Team Peugeot Total returns to Sebring for its third consecutive appearance, but will not face its chief diesel rival for the first time. Audi Sport Team Joest has elected not to take part in the ALMS season-opener following a political scuffle involving not initially having its 2010-spec Audi R15 ‘Plus’ ready in time.

Nonetheless, it leaves Peugeot with a leg up on the competition, with only the V12-powered Aston Martin Lola likely to come close to the performance levels of the French Lions this weekend.

But the diesels have been pegged back this year following their dominant performance at Le Mans in 2009. Changes include a 2.1 percent smaller restrictor and 5.8 percent decrease in supercharger pressure for diesels, while gasoline-powered LMP1 cars, such as the Aston Martin Racing’s Lola, has a 2.4 percent decrease in air restrictor size. Conventional P1 powerplants, such as the Judd V10 or twin-turbo AER V8, have a 5 percent air restrictor increase.

Peugeot Sport director Olivier Quesnel estimates these changes have cost the Peugeot 908 HDi-FAPs some 40 horsepower, while claiming the Aston Martin has picked up an additional 30 hp. That equals a 70 hp swing compared to last year, which is huge. That translates to a 5.4 mph difference in top speeds between the Lola-Aston Martin and Peugeot, taken by SPEEDtv.com’s Marshall Pruett during today’s qualifying. At Le Mans, the differential could be substantial.

“We talked to the ACO, but they don’t want to change anything,” Quesnel said about the LMP1 equivalency. “Maybe a diesel car won’t be good this year. I don’t know. But we do know the Aston Martin car will be fast. In Le Mans, it will be a big problem. Audi has the same problem as us. Everybody said that the Aston Martin will be very fast, but we will see. Whatever happens, it will be very close between the Aston Martins, Audis and Peugeots.”

With Audi not here this weekend, Peugeot was faced with an interesting scenario. Some had speculated that the team’s decision to put some of its lesser experienced drivers in the cars for Sebring was a direct affect from Audi’s non participation, but Quesnel says this is not the case. It in fact falls back to Peugeot’s primary objective for this weekend, and that’s to gain miles for its cars, and drivers, ahead of Le Mans in June.

“All the drivers have to be at the start of the race at Le Mans with the same kilometers [of experience],” he said. “In my mind, they are all fast enough for Audi, so we didn’t need Stephane Sarrazin or Franck Montagny for one race. For me, there’s no problem. I would have liked Audi to be here, but they’re not. If Audi was here, we would have had the same drivers.”

Quesnel has not completely ruled out a return Stateside for the Petit Le Mans later this year, but the clear focus post-Le Mans is on their 2011 challenger. After two years in the planning stages, the car, currently dubbed the ‘90X’, is nearing the final stages of development. Work began on the car four months ago and the design is now complete. Whether it’s diesel or gasoline-powered, or open or closed-top, Quesnel would not confirm at this time.

“Our objective this year is to try to win Le Mans and to make the new car,” Quesnel said. “After Le Mans, the priority will be for the new car... I can’t say absolutely no [to competing at Petit Le Mans], but it’s not my target. If we got the money and have time and don’t break any 908’s before. If everything is going on very well, why not?”


------Double-Duty Pagenaud
==Peugeot will be joining Audi on Monday and Tuesday for private testing at Sebring. The French automaker will be using the time on the 3.7-mile airfield circuit in preparation for Le Mans in June. In doing so, Simon Pagenaud, one of their nine Le Mans pilots, will be on hand to put the two 908’s through its paces.

Pagenaud, who drives for Patron Highcroft Racing in the ALMS and will compete in tomorrow’s season-opener in the team’s Honda Performance Development 01C, says the transition between the P2-spec HPD and the diesel-powered Peugeot is quite interesting.

“There’s different power and different weight on both cars,” he said. “Unlike last year’s Acura P1 car, the HPD car this year has a very different feel. The Peugeot is all about power. It has a big engine in the back, so there’s a lot of weight in the back of the car. The P2 car is very well balanced weight-wise. It’s interesting for me to drive both cars because I get to adapt myself to any kind of situations, which makes me a better driver. I think it’s a great experience for the future.”

With both Highcroft and Peugeot competing here this weekend and also at Le Mans, Pagenaud has found the experience pretty strange being on the track with the Duncan Dayton-led Highcroft squad, but seeing his Le Mans team compete at the same time.

“On both sides it’s a little bit strange, even this weekend seeing the Peugeot evolving here,” Pagenaud said. “Because I’m giving a lot to both teams to have the performance. Some of my work is evolving out there with my teammates. It’s just a little bit strange, but I can’t complain about the situation, really.

“I’m very fortunate to have two great teams this year,” he added. “Obviously the Peugeot deal was one of my dreams to be able to go to Le Mans in the winning team. There’s a lot to come. It’s a difficult race and we have to respect it. You never know where you’re going to end up. Sometimes there’s a lot of surprise there. We’ll see, but I’m pumped up about it.”

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Post by mlittle » Sun Mar 21, 2010 9:23 am

Sebring Starting Grid
from L-R: position, car #, ACO/ALMS class, class position, drivers, vehicle, time & speed[mph]

1. 07 P1 1 Gene*, Wurz+, Davidson Peugeot 908 HDI FAP 1:45.214 126.599
2. 08 P1 2 Lamy, Bourdais+, Minassian* Peugeot 908 HDI FAP 1:45.841 125.849
3. 007 P1 3 Mucke*, Primat, Fernandez+ Lola B0960 Aston Martin 1:46.079 125.567
4. 8 P1 4 Drayson, Cocker, Pirro*+ Lola B0960 1:46.460 125.117
5. 1 P2 1 Brabham, Pagenaud+, Franchitti* HPD ARX-01c 1:47.684 123.695
6. 6 P2 2 Pickett+, Graf*, Maassen Porsche RS Spyder 1:47.738 123.633
7. 16 P2 3 Dyson+, Smith*, Meyrick Lola B0986 Mazda 1:47.882 123.468
8. 12 P1 5 Willman*+, Burgess, Ehret Lola B0610 1:54.441 116.392
9. 99 PC 1 Zugel, Jeannette*+, Julian Oreca FLM09 1:55.279 115.546
10. 95 PC 2 Tucker, Hunter-Reay*+, Gue Oreca FLM09 1:55.397 115.428
11. 55 PC 3 Tucker, Bouchut*+, Wilkins Oreca FLM09 1:56.101 114.728
12. 89 PC 4 Pagerey*+, Wong, Ducote Oreca FLM09 1:59.580 111.390
13. 45 GT2 1 Bergmeister*+, Long, Lieb Porsche 911 RSR 2:01.150 109.946
14. 17 GT2 2 Sellers, Henzler*+, Pilet Porsche 911 RSR 2:01.201 109.900
15. 62 GT2 3 Melo*+, Bruni, Kaffer Ferrari 430 GT 2:01.236 109.868
16. 3 GT2 4 Magnussen*+, O'Connell, Garcia Chevrolet Corvette C6.R 2:01.358 109.758
17. 4 GT2 5 Beretta, Gavin*+, Collard Chevrolet Corvette C6.R 2:01.628 109.514
18. 01 GT2 6 Sharp+, van Overbeek*, Farnbacher Ferrari 430 GT 2:01.914 109.257
19. 92 GT2 7 Auberlen*, Milner, Werner+ BMW E92 M3 2:01.922 109.250
20. 02 GT2 8 Brown, Cosmo*+, Barbosa Ferrari 430 GT 2:02.242 108.964
21. 40 GT2 9 D.Robertson, A.Robertson, Murry*+ Doran Ford GT-R 2:03.622 107.748
22. 81 GTC 1 Gonzalez, Leitzinger, Keen*+ Porsche 911 GT3 Cup 2:05.959 105.749
23. 61 GT2 10 Krohn*, Jonsson+, van de Poele Ferrari 430 GT 2:06.680 105.147
24. 80 GTC 2 Gonzalez, Diaz+, Kelly* Porsche 911 GT3 Cup 2:07.018 104.867
25. 23 GTC 3 Sweedler, Kapudija*+, Lueders Porsche 911 GT3 Cup 2:07.205 104.713
26. 32 GTC 4 Curtis, Sofronas*, Pilgrim+ Porsche 911 GT3 Cup 2:07.751 104.265
27. 63 GTC 5 Richard*+, Ende, Lally Porsche 911 GT3 Cup 2:11.371 101.392
28. 11 PC 5 Feinberg+, Marcelli, Weickardt Oreca FLM09++ -.---
29. 44 GT2 11 Law, Neiman*+, Lietz Porsche 911 RSR++ 2:07.874 104.165
30. 88 GTC 6 Lewis*+, Vento, Aschenbach Porsche 911 GT3 Cup++ 2:07.412 104.543
31. 75 GT2 12 Gentilozzi+, Goossens*, Dalziel Jaguar XKRS++ 2:04.804 106.727
32. 69 GTC 7 Rodriguez+, Bieker*, Friedman Porsche 911 GT3 Cup++ 2:10.312 102.216
33. 36 PC 6 Wallace+, Sutherland, Hildebrand* Oreca FLM09++ -.---
34. 90 GT2 13 Mueller*+, Hand, Priaulx BMW E92 M3++ -.---

*Qualifying driver
+Starting driver

++Cars 75 & 88 moved to back of grid (driver failed minimum night laps)
++Car 36 times excluded (failed minimun weight)
++Car 90 times excluded (failed stall test)
++Cars 44 & 88 moved to back of grid (tire change)
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Peugeot Leads at 3-Hrs......

Post by mlittle » Sun Mar 21, 2010 9:26 am

Image

~~~~Pedro Lamy is behind the wheel of the no. 08 Team Peugeot
Total 908 HDI FAP as the dominant French team continues to set the pace at Sebring International Raceway. After three hours of the 58th running of the Mobile 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, the Peugeot team holds one, two in the early going.

Before Lamy climbed into the cockpit, teammate Sebastien Bourdais had earlier kept the pressure on Alexander Wurz having started the no. 07 Peugeot. The two team cars are not only chasing the overall victory but also the LMP1 win. Yet, for the Peugeot team, this race is a good testing ground for the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June.

The defending victors of the classic race in June on the la Sarthe circuit want to ensure their team is ready for the challenge because at Le Mans, they will race against the Audi team! Audi elected to not run at Sebring but instead they will do a private test after the American Le Mans Series season opener so while the drivers are on hand and the cars sit nearby, the fans have been left with disappointment.

Second in the race under sunny skies on a warm day is Anthony Davidson in a secound Peugeot 908. Stefan Mucke took over the Aston Martin Racing P1 entry from Adrian Fernandez and continues to keep the AMR Lola in third while staying in front of the Drayson Racing Lola in the capable hands of Jonny Cocker.

The LMP2 leader is not a surprised as the re-branded Honda Performance Development ARX-01c is fast in the hands of the P1 championship Highcroft Racing team. Simon Pagenaud started the race and quickly held off any challenge from Dyson Racing and Team CytoSport before handing the car off to Marino Franchitti.

The Scotsman has kept Klaus Graff in chase mode in the CytoSport Porsche RS Spyder. Greg Pickett started the race for the team. "The Porsche is so much fun to drive," said Pickett. "We're in a good position, we wanted to keep the Highcroft car in sight in my first stint and we were certainly able to do that."

Dyson's luck turned sour quickly when starting driver Chris Dyson pulled into the pits in the Dyson's Mazda-powered Lola due to a misfire which caused the team to swap out the electronics to find the problem.

"We had a misfire and went back and looked," said Chris Dyson. "It turned out to be a sensor issue. We lost an hour but the car is running like a train now."
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ALMS 4-Hour Update

Post by mlittle » Sun Mar 21, 2010 9:27 am

(quoting ALMS sources)


~~~Peugeot
ran 1-2 overall at the four-hour mark of the 58th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida with Nic Minassian leading Anthony Davidson by 8.439 seconds one-third of the way through the opening round of the 2010 American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón.

The two Peugeots started from the front row and were two laps clear of Harold Primat in Aston Martin Racing's Lola B09/60-Aston Martin. It's been Peugeot all the way with the exception of a fantastic scrap early on between Drayson Racing's Emanuele Pirro and the two Peugeots. The Drayson Lola-Judd lost several laps with alternator issues, however.

Patrón Highcroft Racing's David Brabham led in LMP2 driving the HPD ARX-01c held a one-lap gap over Muscle Milk Team CytoSport's Porsche RS Spyder and Sascha Maassen.

Risi Competizione's Ferrari F430 GT of Gianmaria Bruni led three GT2 cars on the lead lap. Jörg Bergmeister in the Flying Lizard Motorsports' Porsche 911 GT3 RSR sat second, about 20 seconds clear of Dirk Werner in the first of BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Team's BMW M3.

In LMP Challenge, Level 5 Motorsports' Mark Wilkins held a one-lap cushion in his ORECA FLM09 over Tom Sutherland behind the wheel of Genoa Racing's entry.

In GT Challenge, 1990 Sebring class winner Butch Leitzinger led in one of Alex Job Racing's Porsche 911 GT3 Cup entries. He was a lap better than The Racer's Group Duncan Ende.
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Peugeot Leads at Halfway in Sebring

Post by mlittle » Mon Mar 22, 2010 6:19 pm

(fr SA, 20 March 2010)


Image

-----The Twelve Hours of Sebring race has completed six hours under the bright sunshine in central Florida. Sebastien Bourdais holds the overall lead in the no. 08 Peugeot 908 HDI FAP by a margin of nearly 31 seconds over the French squad's no. 07 with Alexander Wurz behind the wheel. The turbo-diesel cars have a cushion of two laps on their closest rival for the 58th Sebring victory.

Except for one full course caution early in the going, the green track racing has led to nearly a Sunday drive. Of course, the difference in speed between the prototypes and the GT classes keeps the drivers on their toes. Although change of positions from one hour to the other has not been dramatic, there is a battle on the track as the drivers hold their ground and look for places to make a pass, while those following are looking for the ultimate overtaking spot on the bumpy and challenging 3.7 mile road course.

For Peugeot, they are pushing as hard as they possibly can, even with the cushion they have, according to their spokesman. This is a true test for the French team because at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the competition will be faster and more than just two other P1s will be aiming for the victory in June.
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Peugeot 1-2 with 3 Hrs. Left in Sebring

Post by mlittle » Mon Mar 22, 2010 6:20 pm

(fr. SA 20 march 2010)


----Team Peugeot Total continues to command the 58th running of the Twelve Hours of Sebring in dominant fashion at the season opener for the American Le Mans Series. Peugeot is one of the teams that ventures to America at least once, if not twice, during the season to compete in the ALMS two major races: Sebring and Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta.

The 2009 winning team in the prestigious twice around the clock race in Le Mans, France is using Sebring with its fast turns and bumpy track conditions as a pre-test for the 2010 24 Hours of Le Mans. In all sessions over the past week, they have been the top of the field, including the promoters' unofficial test days.

Anthony Davidson took over the No. 07 and now leads the ninth hour with the sister Peugeot 908 HDI FAP in second under the command of Nicolas Minassian. The two are in a tight fight for the overall lead.

A few laps back in the LMP1 class is Adrian Fernandez in the Aston Martin Racing Lola B09 60. Fernandez has taken on his new challenge with AMR this season after scoring the team and drivers' titles in LMP2 last year.

Further back is the Drayson Racing Lola B09 60 utilizing Judd power. ALMS past champion Emanuele Pirro was loaned to the team by Audi.

LMP2 still has the Highcroft Racing drivers keeping the team in the top five overall and more importantly in the class lead. However, still hunting them down is the Team CytoSport racers.

Marino Franchitti holds a nice cushion in the Honda Performance Development ARX-01c while Klaus Graf tries to find a way to gain laps back in the Porsche RS Spyer.

In the new LMPC, it is the No. 55 with Mark Wilkins at the wheel for Level 5 Motorsports and unless something dramatic goes wrong for the pre-favorite team in the new Oreca FLM09 -- chassis and engine for all of the new Prototype Challenge cars -- the team will sail to the victory with a very nice lead over the rest of their competitors that remain after nine hard hours of racing.

Jaime Melo has a slight lead over Bill Auberlen in the LMGT2 class and not far back is Andy Priaulx. The two BMWs are on the charge, especially after the contact sustained by the No. 62 Risi Competizione Ferrari at the hands of their team partner Tracy Krohn.

The battle between the GT2s will no doubt go to the end. Further back is the Porsche teams -- both had wheel incidents, even though leader Flying Lizard's was due to hitting the wheel that flew off the Team Falken Porsche. Earlier the two Corvettes had problems, including a mechanical issue in the No. 3 and later contact between the two on a miscue in pitlane.

Butch Leitzinger is now racing in the GTC class in a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car and yet in a non-surprise, he holds the lead after nine hours. He shares the Alex Job Racing Porsche with Juan Gonzalez and Leh Keen. AJR marked their return to the ALMS with a three-car team at Sebring International Racing. Team driver in the No. 23 Porsche, Bill Sweedler, holds second in the GT Challenge class.
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Peugeot Victory at Sebring

Post by mlittle » Mon Mar 22, 2010 6:26 pm

(from SA, 20 March 2010)


Image
Peugeot pilots Alexander Wurz, Anthony Davidson and Marc Gene take overall honors at Sebring

-----The final sprint to the checkered flag was between the two Team Peugeot Total LMP1 cars with the No. 07 908 HDI FAP having a three second lead over the No. 08 when Sebastien Bourdais spun on cold tires exiting the pitlane after his final pit stop. That allowed Alexander Wurz to maintain the distance and take the checkered flag, leading a one, two finish for the French marquee, giving them their first victory on the 3.7 mile Sebring International Raceway. The gap at the end was 13.817 seconds.

The opening round of the American Le Mans Series was filled with action in all five classes at the 58th Annual Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring. Throughout the endurance event, Peugeot was the dominant team and between the two 908s, they led each and ever lap. The fastest lap of the race was set by Bourdais on lap 211 at 1:44.972. There was a bit of poignancy for Wurz, whose last visit to Sebring was back in the late 90's.... "The last time I was at Sebring was 1997 where I shared a car with Greg Moore. He was really, really a great guy and I was thinking of him and his family today and I want to share this win with him," said Wurz after taking the checkered flag.

Wurz was joined on the top of the podium by his co-drivers, Anthony Davidson and pole winner Marc Gene. Bourdais, Pedro Lamy and Nicolas Minassian finished second as fireworks added light to the night sky.

"We really think after driving, this is the best prep for Le Mans," said Gene. "The bumps are more perfect to test for Le Mans than maybe Paul Ricard, where it is more smooth."

The two 908s contested each other for the lead but worked in tandem to pass the slower cars when needed. "I heard at one point from back home (England) that we were not really racing," said Davidson, "but I disagree. I've got aches and pains to prove that I was racing, my teammates agree."

It was the first win for Peugeot at Sebring, breaking the string of German marquee wins at the historic track. "With Peugeot we came here as a team and wanted to accomplish a goal and we did," said Davidson.

Team CytoSport are the LMP2 winners, driving a 2008 RS Spyder previously owned by Dyson Racing. Greg Pickett, Klaus Graf and Sascha Maassen drove the wheels off the car to stay in touch with the Highcroft Racing Honda Performance Development ARX-01c, at one point CytoSport was four laps down. Then, they got lucky when their Highcroft rivals had to pit due an electrical issue for six laps.

"I really like this magnificent machine," smiled Pickett. "You expect that from Porsche. The Spyders are a superbly balanced car, it goes wherever you want and I'm always surprised how well it handles in traffic."

Pickett had two young guns with him for his second class victory at Sebring. "I'm 63 now, to do this at this level of competition is a wonderful adventure," he said while adding, "My teammates did the heavy lifting. They let me get in a little bit."

Klaus Graf won for the first time at Sebring and felt the emotion of being the team's driver for the closing laps: "It was quiet on the radio, bringing it home was special for me," he said. "It was my first Sebring win.

"I can't thank Greg enough on putting this team together. He has a great appreciation for this sport, and everyone in this room (press conference) knows what it takes to put something like this together."

Maassen has raced the RS Spyder at Sebring with the Penske team but this marks his first win. It is also his 30th ALMS victory. "I have to say that I have tried to win here with the Spyder quite a few times, but this time I was successful," he said.

"we had luck, that's for sure. We had our plan, we did exactly what we wanted to do," added the Porsche factory driver. "We drive safe and steady and we stayed out of the pits (for the non planned stops). That is the key to an endurance race. I want to thank Greg ... he showed (that) the Spyder can win in a privateer's hands. I don't think this will be the last time a privateer wins with it."

Highcroft Racing finished second, which helps them in the points battle for the rest of the season with the new LMP class -- a mixture of P1 and P2. Team drivers David Brabham and Simon Pagenaud were joined by Marino Franchitti and while disappointed with the outcome after leading for the majority of the event, they look forward to the rest of the season.

Risi Competizione earned a repeat victory in the demanding 12 hour race and this year for the GT2s, it was indeed a tight race. Yet for some of the top teams, it was one of heartache. For the Houston, Texas based team, it is also the swan song of the Ferrari 430 GT.

"I enjoyed it a lot," smiled Gianmaria Bruni. "We showed the Ferrari and Michelin fit together. We were fighting at the beginning but then we overtook the leader, we pulled away. We've known each other a while but Jaime has been with this car for a good long time."

The team had a trouble free race, especially considering the bad luck of their rivals. Jaime Melo and Pierre Kaffer were joined in this year's win by Gianmaria Bruni. It was Melo who had the honor of bringing the 430 home for its final victory in Sebring.

"I know the 430 from when we started developing the car," said Melo. "We want to put it in the history books, so we want to win [races and the championship] this year so bad. So we can send it off in a good way."

"The team is a very, very good team. With three drivers who are very consistent like Jamie (Bruni) and Pierre, it's the way to win this kind of race," Melo added. "The preparation of the car is key to this race."

Kaffer added, "It's always nice for the victory. It's a wonderful team. To drive a Ferrari and with these guys is awesome. You really get to enjoy driving the car."

The two BMW Rahal Letterman Racing teams came home second and third. Dirk Mueller, Joey Hand and Andy Priaulx drove the No. 90 BWM E92 M3 home to second place while teammates Bill Auberlen, Tommy Milner and Dirk Werner were on the final podium step in the No. 92.

The final of the heartbreaks for a GT2 team came with two hours to go when Scott Sharp had a fire in his Ferrari 430 GT's left rear brake area as he exited the 16th turn. By the time the driver and owner of Extreme Speed Motorsports could safely bring it to a stop, the rear bodywork was on fire. His experience in racing allowed him to quickly find the nearest corner station manned by SCCA corner workers with fire extinguishers. It was the fourth and final full course caution.

Sharp was okay and commented, "It was a real shame," he said. "We were trying to get the car home. Everything was good until a vibration came up on the last caution. I stopped as soon as I could. There was a gap there so I figured there was a marshal with an extinguisher. The corner marshall did an excellent job with only used one bottle to put it out."

The new LMPC crowned first time winners at Sebring. Scott Tucker, Mark Wilkins and Christophe Bouchut had the honor to take the first victory in their Level 5 Motorsports Oreca FLM09.

"Unbelievable," said Wilkins. "To come here for the first time is a tough race. The guys from Level 5 did an awesome job."

Bouchut added about the team, "The mechanics really did a great job putting it together. I took the lead on the second stint until the checkered flag."

Scott Tucker commented on their lack of time in the car as he said, "It's a really nice package, its sophisticated, but simple. It was no problem running a triple stint in it. Overall, I really like the car."

While the GT Cup Challenge ran at selected events in 2009, the newly name GTC (Challenge) had changes with entries and not as an invitational process, plus the teams own their Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars.

Alex Job returned to the series and tonight celebrated his first win in the GTC class with drivers Juan Gonzalez and Leh Keen. Third driver Butch Leitzinger, has had a lot of experience on the demanding Sebring circuit. Pole winner Keen commented about the race long battles in the class, "It wasn't easy; the last 12 hours have been really intense. I have to give it to Alex (Job) He really knows what he's doing. He put together some great GTC cars for us. All the guys did an awesome job."

Gonzalez added, "It was very sweet. I've been racing vintage for almost 20 years. Today, I finally got my dream come true." The two drivers had veteran racer Leitzinger sharing the drive with them today and he smiled as he said, "I told Juan on the podium, this is my favorite time because it's the longest time before we come back here", referring to the top step of the Sebring podium!
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